In a presentation on the Philippine Reintegration Program for Filipino overseas workers Filipino domestic workers’ associations, Damayan and Maharlika and other community members joined Labor Assistant Secretary Gloria Tango, Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega, Director Chona Mantilla of the National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (NRCO), and Welfare Officer Petrona Bergado in a Town Hall Forum at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center on March 17, 2017.

Dr. Rhodora M. Bucoy, Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women; and Head of the Philippine delegation for the 61st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women and Commission on Audit Assistant Commissioner Lourdes Castillo, were also present during the Forum.

De Vega welcomed the visiting officials and stressed the importance of keeping the Filipino overseas community updated on the latest developments in the Philippine Government’s Reintegration Program. Assistant Secretary Tango gave the outline and general policies in the enabling laws — Republic Act 8042 and Republic Act 10022 — that were adopted in support of the creation of NRCO.

Mantilla explained the mandate, as well as different projects of NRCO available to Filipino workers and family members during unexpected crisis situations or upon their return to the country.Welfare Officer Petrona Bergado gave a presentation emphasizing the benefits of being an OWWA member to encourage qualified overseas Filipino workers to enroll as OWWA members.During the Q&A, Maharlika and Damayan members clarified a number of items that include OWWA/NRCO eligibility requirements, benefits, and manner of enrollment, revival of OWWA membership for domestic workers, the extent of benefits of NRCO, and programs that are beneficial to family members and overseas Filipino workers upon their return to the country.The National Reintegration Program promotes the delivery of responsive, productive and sustainable reintegration services to OFW returnees that will enable them to maximize the gains of overseas employment, mitigate the social costs of migration, and cushion the impact of forced repatriation due to unexpected events.

The Consulate General seeks deeper engagement and collaboration with the Filipino community in matters relating to promotion of workers’ welfare and labor rights, as well as actively pursuing partnerships with Philippine Government agencies and private sector groups to assist underserved sectors in the diaspora.